Tiger Woods apologizes for letting down his family

Golfer Tiger Woods has publicly apologized to his family for letting them down amid reports the sports star has been cheating on his wife.

Woods’ personal life has been under intense scrutiny since he was injured in a single-car accident on Friday.

He escaped criminal charges but was fined $164 on Tuesday when he was cited by Florida Highway Patrol officials for careless driving.

Woods was left injured and reportedly unconscious after reversing his SUV into a water hydrant outside his Florida home and then driving into a neighbor’s tree.

Reports suggest the star and his wife Erin had been fighting prior to the accident over allegations Woods had been having an affair with club manager Rachael Uchitel.

Uchitel has denied ever having a romance with the embattled athlete, but claims of other affairs have since surfaced.

Woods has so far refused to comment on the cheating rumours but he issued a new statement on Wednesday admitting he is “not without faults.”

However, he fails to directly address the latest affair scandal and insists any personal problems will be dealt with in private.

He says in the statement, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.”

Woods also expresses his shock at the high level of media interest in his personal life and again slams claims his wife had been violent towards him.

He adds: “Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

“But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be… personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions.

“Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it’s difficult.

“I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.”